Rajasthan Royals Manager Fined ₹1 Lakh Over IPL Dugout Phone Breach

The BCCI has slapped a fine of INR 1 Lakh on Rajasthan Royals Team Manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder for breaching the IPL's Players and Match Officials Areas (PMOA) Protocols during a recent fixture in the 2026 season. The incident occurred during Match 16 of the tournament, a high-profile encounter between Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on April 10, 2026.

According to match officials, Bhinder was found using a mobile phone inside the players' dugout, a clear violation of Article 4.1.1 of the BCCI's PMOA Protocols. The rule explicitly bans the use of electronic communication devices in designated team areas during play, a measure designed to safeguard the integrity and transparency of matches. Given the competitive stakes of the ongoing season, the BCCI has maintained a zero-tolerance stance on such breaches, regardless of intent.

Manager Accepts Fault, BCCI Shows Leniency

Following the incident, Bhinder did not contest the charge and instead accepted responsibility for his actions. He offered an unconditional apology, acknowledging that the use of his phone in the dugout was an unintentional lapse rather than a deliberate attempt to undermine match protocols. Taking into account his cooperative response and the fact that this was his first offence, the BCCI invoked Article 7.42(a) of the PMOA Protocol to impose a moderate fine of INR 1 Lakh, rather than a harsher sanction. He has also been issued a formal warning, with the board urging him to exercise greater caution moving forward.

This episode serves as a timely reminder of how seriously the BCCI treats protocol violations during IPL 2026, a season marked by intense competition and heightened scrutiny of dugout conduct. For Rajasthan Royals, who have been in strong form this campaign, maintaining discipline off the field is just as crucial as their performances on it. Any recurring lapses could invite stricter penalties and unwanted distractions during a season where every fixture carries significant weight in the race for playoff qualification. The incident underscores the growing emphasis players, support staff, and franchises must place on adhering strictly to tournament regulations as the competition progresses.